Psalm 91

Introducing the Protector and the protected one.

A very good friend of mine has a vivid memory of an incident after hopping off the school bus as a kindergarten boy. Carrying his backpack, he stepped onto the curb and headed up into his yard. Just a few seconds later, he glanced to the side and noticed a frightening, snarling dog that was slowly and methodically making its way toward him. He turned to watch it while continuing to try to make his way to the side door of the house. By then, the dog was moving toward him more rapidly than he was moving toward the door, and the gap quickly closed. As the dog hunched and then lunged toward my friend (he can still picture all of this), a huge hand came down and smashed the dog on the top of its head. He was saved! The hand belonged to his dad who had been watching from a distance. His father worked construction for thirty years, and his hands are more like bear paws than like the hands that you and I are used to. His dad was there all the time even though my friend didn’t know it until that moment. His dad was a protector, capable of taking care of the danger—just what my friend needed. To this day, my friend is thankful for the protection at that time of need. In Psalm 91, we read about how we, in times of peril, have a promise of protection from One who is available, capable, and willing to meet our need. Praise the Lord that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5) and that He lovingly reminds us in portions like this that we are “kept [guarded] by the power of God” (1 Pet. 1:5).

1-4: Divine protection

Verses 1 and 2 introduce us to four names of the Lord, each reminding us of who and what manner of protector this is.

Most High—a translation of El Elyon. The thought here is that the God who dwells in heaven sits above any other and does not share or negotiate for authority. No one is above Him, and He is not subject to anyone or anything. It reminds us of verses like “… our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This name is connected to the man who “dwells in the secret place.” This is not a promise to all living people but to those who live with Him. If we are in Christ today, praise the Lord for all of His precious promises.

Almighty—a translation of the name El Shaddai. This name reminds us that our God is a providing, all-sufficient, and tender God who desires to draw us to Himself and take care of our needs. Notice at the end of verse 1 that the follower is to abide under His shadow. Such is the closeness and the protection afforded the child of God.

Lord—from the word Jehovah, a covenant giving and covenant-keeping God. This is a God who can be depended on, and One who has never broken a promise or let His people down. We have broken our agreements with Him, but He has never broken a promise to us. This Lord is both a refuge (a quiet, safe place) and a fortress (a tower of security during attack) (v. 2a). Both of these are needed as we travel through this hostile world.

God—is from Elohim, the Creator God. This name brings to mind the power and wonder of creation and the God who stands behind it all. He is One whom the author says is worthy of “trust” (v. 2b). If anyone is worth putting our confidence in, it is a God like this. What a blessing to walk through life with such a God!

Verses 3 and 4 start to build on the foundation of these names and tell of the protection that this multi-faceted God can give. He delivers and covers (both in the imperfect tense, signifying ongoing effects) from various forms of danger. He is both a shield (a large shield to defend against attacks from afar) and a buckler (a small shield for hand-to-hand combat). Whatever the child of God is facing, the Lord is just the right solution. He is all in all to us!

5-13: Satanic perils

In verses 3 and 4, the Lord protects from different kinds of danger; in verses 5 and 6, we see that the Lord protects at different times of danger: terror by night and arrows by day, pestilence in darkness and destruction at noonday. Even if a thousand or ten thousand fall all around, it will not affect the protected one (vv. 7f).

At the beginning of the psalm, the person addressed is one who dwells with the Most High. In verse 9, this thought is repeated using the word habitation or dwelling place. This is not someone who runs to the Lord in the day of trouble so much as one who is living in consistent fellowship with Him at all times. This is a promise to those who, like Enoch, faithfully walk with God.

Verse 10 was of great comfort to Charles Spurgeon during the cholera outbreak in London: “no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” He read this verse, claimed it by faith, and continued on with his visitation of the sick and dying. He was unaffected by the sickness that claimed the lives of so many, even though he consistently put himself in places where he risked infection.

The next verses (11-13) are the ones that were twisted by Satan in his temptation of the Lord Jesus: “He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all you ways.” Angels are ministering spirits and, as such, do the work of the Lord. Part of that work is to watch over His followers. These verses are a promise of protection along life’s path and from life’s peril. Satan desired to use them in a twisted and unbiblical way, and the Lord Jesus immediately rebuked him with the truth.

The follower of the Lord has multiple powerful enemies. What a joy and blessing to know that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world, and that those who put their trust in Him will not be put to shame!

14-16: Divine promises

Again, the promises of these verses are to him who “has set his love upon [the Lord].” The thought being of a person whose lifestyle is that of constant and consistent intimacy with the Lord. His joy, hope, love, and service are focused on his great God. To this man, seven promises are made:
I will deliver him
I will set him on high
I will answer him
I will be with him in trouble
I will deliver him and honor him
I will satisfy him
And [I will] show him My salvation

We have an “I will” God! He took the weight of our sin on His shoulders and provided a perfect way of salvation. When someone had to suffer for sin, He said, “I will.” When someone had to be available to shepherd the sheep, He said, “I will.” When someone had to love the bride, He said, “I will.” When someone had to be patient, gentle, meek, strong, powerful, and everything else that any human being will ever need, He said, “I will.”

He is the giver of all good things and is still actively looking for ways to bless His people today. How could we not give thanks to a Heavenly Father such as this. If you know this “I will” God today, praise Him for His everlasting promises and faithful protection to ones such as we!

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